SPAIN: National operator RENFE has confirmed Alstom and Stadler as the winners of two contracts to supply and maintain 1 668 mm gauge high capacity electric multiple-units to replace existing stock on the Madrid and Barcelona commuter networks.
The new trains will have a 20% greater passenger capacity than the current Civia fleet, and will be designed for rapid passenger flows to minimise boarding and alighting times.
On March 8 RENFE confirmed that Alstom was preferred bidder for a €1·45bn order to build 152 units at its Santa Perpètua de Mogoda factory near Barcelona and provide 15 years of maintenance. The EMUs will be 100 m long. There is a €872m option covering a further 76 units.
Alstom said ‘this is a great news and enormous satisfaction for the teams who have been working for months to submit the best offer.’
It said the high-capacity trains for Spain would be based on its proven rolling stock platforms and ‘meet the major challenges faced by RENFE to increase passenger transport capacity in the suburban rail hubs, improve the quality of service for passengers and guarantee universal accessibility’.
Stadler has been selected for a €998m order to build 59 double-deck units and provide 15 years of maintenance. This is RENFE’s first order for Stadler trainsets, which will be produced at the company’s València factory.
The 3 kV DC units will have a maximum speed of 140 km/h. The order includes 24 trainsets which will be 100 m long, and 25 which will be 200 m long. There is a €832m option for a further 44 units.
Both manufacturers will undertake maintenance through 51:49 joint ventures with RENFE Fabricación y Mantenimiento.
- In the coming months RENFE plans to award contracts for the supply of bi-mode trainsets for medium distance (43 units) and commuter (38) services, as well as for 40 high speed train power cars.
